Detachable cabin with parachute



June 14, 1938. H. L. ADAMS DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE Filed July 30, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet l June 14, 1938. H. L. ADAMS I DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE Filed July 30, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 14, 1938. H, A MS 2,120,477

DET ACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE Filed July 30, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 v 6 e o o o o o o o o o 56%: o 0 0 0 0 June 14, 1938. H. ADAMS DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE I '8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 30, 1932 June 14, 1938.

H. 1.. ADAMS DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACH'UTE Filed July 30, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 1938- H. L. ADAMS DETACHABLE CABIN WITH F ARACHUTE Filed July 30, 1932 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 wa m June-14,1938. H.l -.'ADAM$ 2,120,477 j DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE I Filed 'y 0, 1932 8 Sheet s-Sheet 7 June 14, 1938. H. L. ADAMS DETACHABLE CABIN WITH PARACHUTE Filed July so, 1932 8 SheetsShee t 8 Patented June 14, 1938 This lnveutlon relates-to sircrsftiand moreparticularly to meens for removing a. detacle Application July 30, N32, 1

cabin from an aircraft dc fiieht.

One of the objects of the invention is to provlsle means for ejecting e. cabin suspending parc=- chute from an aircraft without likelihood o! fouling the parachute on some projecting portion of the aircraft.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supporting and housing the ruchute in e manner to prevent any increase in all re= sistauce by reason thereof, and to insure the sutomtic discharge of the ports of the parachute in proper sequence upon the operation of mmuelly controlled releasing means.

Auotherobject of the invention-ls to provlfie for the release of the cubic coincidentally with the release of the parachute.

.lmother object of themveutlon is to provltle for the proper arrangement oi the cabin with respect to the parachute end to the adjacent surfeces of the aircraft to. e. meuuer to fecilitste'the removal of the cable from the aircraft upon ejecting the parachute.

l mother object of the invention is to provide means within the cabin for releasing the pore= chute therefromif desired.

A cabin removingvmecns in accordance with this invention is illustrated. in the ccccmpsnyurg drawings, in which:

Figure l is e. slde elesution of en elrcrcft in flight showing the cabin partially removed.

Figure 2 is stregmenterytop plan of the aircraft showing the cover for the parachute contciner in open position. I

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the releasing means for the cabin sud container cover.

' cabin.

Figure 4 1s a. transverse section through the Figure 51s on enlarge sectionel elevstion similar to Figure 1 but prior to the ejection of. the

main parachute.

Flgmefi is e frsgurentury tamer cover.

plan showing the c means thereof.

Figure is an enlarged perspective view 0! the container.

top plan of the con (Cl. see -use) Figure 11 is o. semblnverted fragmentary section showing the means for securing .the pilot parachute to the cover.

Figu es 12-, 13, 14 and 1-5 are enlarged frogmentery detail views showing modifications oi means for connecting the-shroud lines with. the culoiu suspeng ce'ole,

Figure 16 is a side elevation showing in dotted lines the cover in open position.

Eimue i7 is u 'iregmeu top plan showing toe ems surface over which the cabin is removed from the aircraft.

Figure it is e. side elevetion of the ulrcrcft.

figure 19 is ezo. enlarged iii-elementary, section through the psrechute container.

Flglu'e 20 is euenlergeo fragmentary elevetiou oi the interior oi the container.

Flgiu'e 21 is e trout elevation of the aircraft.

Figure 22 is s pert sectional view of aeroplane with celeiu shown in elevation with container for parachute end reemiorclug. means for the hook that liolcle the cabin to the parachute.

itcure 23 is on elevetlou showing o moons for support-lug the co. when released with purechute.

Figure 24 is e. plan view with the container just opened and the pilot. chute starting the operetiou of removing the ocreclmte &i'ld the cabin.

Picture 25 is a longitudinal section of on aircrcft culolzi having so eeiiustcble seat that rights I itself automatically when the cabin is in e. verticcl position instead of the normal horizontal position.

Figure 26 is u longitudinal section of the cabin heviug the auiusteble seots in normul position.

Figure 27 is at cross section through the cabin showing the adjustable seats with e storage place under the cabin floor.

V Figure 28 is e lotuolual sectional detail of the hood end oi the cabin showing the means for releasing the control means of the aircraft.

Figure 29 is a detail drawing of a two wired culoleswitch or plug switch that breaks autoticelly from elrcratt when the cabin is released.

Figure to is a. broken section of head oi cabin, the various external pipes may be controlled inside the cebin for intake exhaust from cabin to engine and exhaust from engine to cabin or heatlog cabin.

Figure 31 is a longitudinal detail of a hollow rod inside hollow short that operates the aircraft.

Figures 32 to 320, are a series of four elevational viewsshowlng the method of the operation-o1 the harness for holding the cabin to the parachute.

Figures 33 to 330 are a series of four elevational views, a, b, c, d, showing the method of securing the parachute to the aircraft as well as the cabin.

Figure 34 is a perspective sectional view of the cabin and attachment to the framing with harness attached to parachute.

Figures and 35a are perspective views of a cylindrical cabin ambulance attached to a parachute for safety.

Figure 36 is a longitudinal section of the cabin showing the pilot and the people placed on the stretchers upon the shelves.

Figure 37 is a cross section of the cabinshowing the shelves and the people placed upon the stretchers with a protector tokeep them from rolling out and ballast in the bottom to keep the cabin right side up on the water.

Figure 38 is a modification of Figure 37 for one patient. Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 3 designates an aircraft provided with a cabin I which preferably is cylindrical in form with rounded or hemispherical ends as indicated at 2.

A connection to this cabin may be made preferably in the form of a ring, ring bolt or eye bolt 24 securely attached to the rear end of cylinder with reinforcing means extending from the ring 24 to the rest of the cabin to prevent it tearing out. The ends of these reinforcing means may have wires or thin bands extending around the other end of the cabin to give greater security and strength in the protection from tearing. To the ring, rings or eye bolt 24 may be attached by line 25 secured through ring 24 the other end of said line is attached to shroud lines of a parachute 26, 26a, 26b with means for releasing and hauling the cabin I from the aircraft if the same becomes necessary. The parachute 26 should preferably be stored at'the rear of the aeroplane cabin and should have a pilot chute 26b for hauling the same out of its container. Two or more pilot chutes may be used in this operation a small one 28b hauling out a somewhat larger one 26a which in turn hauls out the main parachute 25.

The preferred arrangement will be to have a stream lined cover 21 for the parachute container 28 with hinges 28 at the rear edge of the container 28. The cover 21 extends forward to the rear edge of cylindrical part of cabin I and fitting around the curve of the cabin to perfectly stream line the cabin and fits within a groove on its horizontal edge or similar device to prevent its spreading outward. An eye bolt 38 in upper edge of the cover 21 passes through an opening into the cabin I with an opening inside-the cabin through which a pin 3| passes to secure the eye bolt 30 and the cover 21 and to prevent the operation of parachute until the same is desired. The pin 3| has a connection 32 inside a pipe 33 that extends to within reach of the operator terminating in a ring or lever 34. An extension 32a of this means for operating the pin 3| terminates in a second control 34a near the operator when in the outside cockpit. This may be arranged detachable or the aviator may detach the outside control when entering the cabin and seal up-the opening. or plunger washers similar to that used in an air pump may be used attached to the rod inside the pipes to prevent the escape of air from the cabin outside. The eye bolts 38 should have a tight fitting rubber washer between the pin 3| and cabin or inclosed part as shown attached to pipe 33 enclosing'pin 3| in airtight pocket to prevent the escape of air through the opening as a tight fitting pin 3| at this place might not be desirable. An automatic opening device for cover 21 on either or both sides of the fuselage to force the cover upwards sufiicient to allow the air to throw it backwards may be provided in the form of a rod 35 extending down from the edge of the cover 21 to a collar 36 on the rod 35 below which is a circular spring 31 under compression that rests upon a bearing 38 through which the rod 35 moves the other end of which has a link 38 swinging in a bearing 48 on the other end of which is a connection 4| to door 42 that covers porous bottom 43 to the container 28. This is to furnish a forced draft under the parachute due to the onrushing air caused by the movement of the aeroplane being forced up under the parachute to aid in releasing it from container. This door 42 may have triangular cloth sides 44 to form a more complete funnel for forcing-the air upward. The cover 21 at the top of the container 28 likewise may have pieces of triangular cloth 45 attached to the edge of the cover on one side and the other side of which is attached to the opening edge of the fuselage so that when the cover 21 is open a more complete shield at sides for the parachute 26 and the cabin is obtained as they leave aircraft 3.

The shroud lines 5| of main parachute 26 should be secured in pockets 63 over hook 53' or in loops or similar device for holding loop bundles of the shroud lines 5| on this sloping back wall of container 28. These loop bundles may be in corrugations, grooves or have partitions of canvas between them. Line or lines 25 from these shroud lines should pass over the top of container 28 and be attached to the load or ring or rings 24, or other means of securing the cabin to aircraft 3. Adjustable means may be provided for making container 28 of the size to secure the parachute 26 and prevent it getting out of place.

The force of the door 21 opening shall be used to operate restraining devices to pilot chutes 26b. This force will be quite severe when forced back by the on rushing air and a wire rope 58 should be in the upper end of the canvas connecting the outer edge of the door 21 farthest from the hinge 29 with. outer edge of the opening farthest from the hinge 28 should have a wire rope 58 attached at these two points on each side of opening to take the strain caused by the door 21 flying back. Spring action preferably secured to wire rope 58 may be used if the same is found necessary or desirable to prevent undue strain upon the aircraft 3 or hinge 28 but may have a stop to prevent undue stretching of spring or undue oscillating of door 21.

The outer edge of this cloth shield 45 may have a wire rope or line 58 to which may be attached a resilient or retarding means 48 to absorb the shock of the cover 21 when that would take place when it is completely opened to prevent damage to the hinges 28 to the cover 21. In the forward edge of the stream lined cover 21 on the under side is attached a container 41 for the small pilot parachute 28b. This container" is at tached to the forward edge securely and at the rear edge by a pin 48 and a grommet 48. The grommet 48 has a spring that causes it to withdraw leaving the inner edge of cover 21 smooth when the pin 48 securing the pilot chute 26b is removed. A line 58 is attached to the pin 48 and secured to the fuselage with sufficient length to cause the small pilot chute 26b to be released and shall extend back over the top of the container 26 and terminate in an arrangement for securing the shroud lines 5| of the parachute which has a ring 52. The shroud lines 5| are secured over hooks 53 in loop bundles and passed to the lower edge of the parachute upon the perforated bottom of the container. The upper part of parachute 26 terminates in a connection 54 having a. line a attached to a connection 5211- which is attached to shroud lines 5H1 of large pilot chute 26a to the top of which is secured a connection 54a to line 25b attached to a connection 52b to shroud lines 51b attached to a small pilot chute 26b.

The parachute container 28 should preferably be made of canvas secured to the diagonal back wall 68 so that when the parachute 26 is out the container 28 collapses against this wall to prevent interfering with the load the parachute is to carry. a

The eye bolt to the stream lined cover 27 shall have a wire 59 passing around it connected to a spring for swinging the eye bolt through about 180 degrees preferably to remove it from any position where it would endanger the parachutes leaving the aircraft. The spring 55 is disposed within a socket formed in the forward edge of the cover 27, and said forward edge is provided with a slot to receive the eye bolt when the latter is swinging about its pivot.

The parachute 26 may be released from the inside of cabin i andallow the parachute 26 to collapse and prevent the cabin i from being drawn along the ground on landing. This maybe accomplished by a curved wedge 56 or wedges securing the pin or pins 5'! holding the ring 24 or rings outside the cabin. The cabin may be hauled out to the rear but when free of the aeroplane may be suspended in normal position if desired.

The main' thing is to have it get out the rear through door 21 protector to prevent unnecessary damage to cabin i or parachute 26 or delay in leaving aeroplane 3.

Figure 27 shows a storage space under the cabin floor in which may be kept ballast or provisions, fresh water and emergency rations, emergency oxygen tanks, wireless apparatus, mast for making the container a sail boat, also signalling devices, etc., any supplies found desirable.

The method of securing the parachutefto the aircraft as well as to the cabin shown in Figure l 33 the center of gravity of the aircraft must fall between these two harnesses or balls and by this method it enables the operator to try to save the aircraft until it is near enough to theground so that the operator may drop it where it will do the least damage to people or property below.

The attachment to the framing with harness attached to the parachute shown in Figure 34 furnishes a method for releasing the aircraft which is only shown in the front in section but is similar to construction in the rear harness.

- The cabin may be later released on reaching the ground by separate operation. The center of gravity of the aeroplane and cabin must be between the forward and rear harness to give stability when supported by parachute.

all the occupants may in case of fire be safely landed on land or water. Shelves are provided inside the cabin on which stretchers are to be secured and a door is provided at the top for removing same.

In this case, it is arranged for four people but any number that it is found convenient may be used. 1

"A longitudinal sectional detail shown in Figure 28 of the head end of the cabin shows the means for releasing the control means of the aircraft inside the cabin from its extension on the outside which controls the aircraft. The connections necessary for the operation of control means may be attached to a hollow shaft or extend through it to the outside.

A detail drawing shown in Figure 29 is of a two wired cable switch or plug switch that breaks multiple in any number found desirable for lighting, ignition control, radio or any other electrical connection found desirable or necessary or separate electrical connections may be provided in much the same manner in other parts of the aircraft.

A broken section shown in Figure 30 is a head of cabin, the various external pipes may be controlled inside the cabin for intake :exhaustfrom cabin to engine and exhaust. from engine to cabin for heating cabin. Y

A longitudinal detail shown in Figure 31 is of a hollow rod inside hollow shaft that operates the direction of aircraft for operating the throttle to the engine. This is split and threaded so that when it is within the hollow shaft it is held securely but once released from the hollow shaft the threads are easily stripped one over the other.

An upwardly and rearwardly inclined skid or skid surface 68 is formed in the rear of the aeroplane to direct the removal of the aeroplane .cabin I from the framing when the parachute 26 is in operation. The cover 21 swings back and acts as an extended skid surface for parachute 26 and cabin l. The skid surface 68 is curved in cross section corresponding to the contour of the cabin to guide the latter as it is drawn from 'the aircraft. I

- The cabin I may have clamps 69 that can be drawn in sufficiently to free the cabin 'I from the framing 10 when release for parachute and stream lined cover Z'Lfor end of cabin has been out intermediate chute 26a to draw out the main,- parachute 26 having an'attaching means as line 25 to cabin I or in place of line 25 lines 25Y may be attached to saddle connecting straps 25X which are connected detachably to cabin l.

Instead of securing the cabin I on the end a double inverted Y branch or bail connection 26Y- may be made on each side of the cabin l at each end making four connections in all which have lines 25Y extending to a connection 26 to the parachute 26. This arrangement is to keep the cabin-on an even keel. This arrangement may also be utilized for holding the whole aircraft 3 which may be released 'without releasing the cabin I and the cabin I may later be released from parachute 26 on landing.

The pin 82 extending. into the inside 'of the 1 cabin I having connections 83 under the control 84 of the operator that may be drawn in sufficient amount to release the aircraft 3 if the aircraft has arrived at a position where the pilot can ascertain'that no person on the ground below will be injured if the aircraft 3 is released then the parachute 26 can be landed with the cabin I attached more gently than if it were necessary to land the whole aircraft 3.

A special connection at the bottom edge of the yolk or an inverted Y branch ropes which is housed in a boss 85 on its lower edge to keep it from pulling off thepin 82 until the pin 82 is entirely removed so that the cabin I is secured to the parachute 26 if the aircraft 3 has been released. By further operating the pins 82 which are still under control 84 of the operator the parachute 26 may be entirely released. from the cabin I if so desired to prevent dragging the cabin I over the ground. The parachute 26 without its load should soon collapse and prevent tear ing parachute 26 unnecessarily.

A spring hinge in parachute door makes the door spring back quickly when catch is released taking the small pilot chute with it. The small pilot chute opens automatically when the door is wide open being held in place until such time that it may not become fouledc The larger pilot chute is drawn out by the smaller one.'

The larger pilot chute is attached to the top of the main parachute and hauls it out of its container over the door to container. .On each side of the door and each side of the, container there is triangular strip of canvas, cloth or netting protector for the parachute when the door is open to prevent the parachute getting caught upon anything that might tear it. The rear edge of the container from the bottom upward slopes in a backward direction making it easier for the parachute to be hauled back. The releasing of the door upon the top may automatically release a funnel shaped opening underneath the container that will aid in forcing the parachute out of the container by pneumatic action of inrushing air.

I have shown an apparatus embodying my invention in several general forms but do'not wish to be understood as limiting myself strictly to the precise details of construction hereinbefore described. I do not wish to be held to exact shapes or dimensions or to any particular combination of parts but wish to be free to use any part herein shown or described or covered by the claims with any other part or parts whether shown herein or elsewhere.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Paten ,is:

1. In an aircraft, a detachablecabin, said cabin being air tight, a cover hinged at the rear edge to the aircraft at the rear of said cabin and releasably secured at its front edge to said cabin, means for opening said cover, said cover when open extending upward and rearwardly to form a gouged shape skidway for said cabin, means operable to detach the cabin from the aircraft and a device to remove said cabin from said aircraft in rearward sliding movementsubstantially lengthwise of said cabin and said fuselage.

2. In an aircraft, a detachable cabin, said cabin being air tight, an upwardly curved cover hinged to the aircraft at therear of said cabin, detachably secured at its front edge to said cabin, said cover when released forming on its inner face an upwardly and rearwardly extending trough to guide said cabin and adevicethat moves said cabin from said aircraft by a sliding movement between the bottom of the cabin and normal horizontal inner surface of said fuselage and inner face of said cover.

3. In an aircraft, a. substantially horizontal gouged shape skidway in said aircraft, a detach-' able cabin secured in said skidway, said cabin being air tight, a streamlining cover hingedly connected to said aircraft at the rear of said cabin,

ineans for opening said cover, said cover when opened forming an upwardly and rearwardly extending extension to said gouged shaped skidway, said open cover giving added gliding stability to said aircraft, resilient means to facilitate opening the streamlined rear cover, a device in connection with said cabin for releasing said cabin, a device attached to said cabin for removing said cabin and means connected to said releasing means and to said cover for simultaneously releasing said cabin and said removing device.

4. In an aircraft, a detachable cabin, said cabin being air tight, said cabin being cylindrical in shape, hemispherical ends on said cabin, interconnecting releasing mechanism operable from either inside or outsideof said cabin to disconnect said cabin from said aircraft.

5. In an aircraft, a detachable airtight cabin, said cabin being cylindrical in shape, hemispherical ends on said cabin, interconnecting releasing mechanism operable from either inside or outside of said cabin to disconnect said cabin from said aircraft, and a hinged streamlined portion at the rear of said cabin, said portion being 'connecting releasing mechanism on said cabin for detachably securing said cabin to said aircraft and operable from either inside or outside of said cabin, releasable bails on said cabin, said bails having attachment to a parachute, means for releasing said bails and said parachute from said cabin.

7. In an aircraft, a substantially horizontal gouged shaped skidway in said aircraft, a detachable cabin secured in said skidway, said cabin being air tight, a, streamlining co'ver hingedly connected to said aircraft at the rear of said cabin, means for opening said cover, said cover when opened forming an upwardly and rearwardly extending extension to said gouged shaped skidway, said open cover giving added gliding stability to said aircraft, resilient means to facilitate opening the streamlined rear cover, a device in connection with said cabin for releasing said cabin, a device attached to said cabin for removing said cabin.

8. In an aircraft, a. detachable cabin, said cabin secured detachably to said aircraft by interconnecting releasing mechanism on said cabin for detachably securing said cabin to said aircraft and releasable operating mechanism in said cabin for operating said aircraftand means operable from either inside or outside of said cabin for releasing said cabin from said aircraft.

9. In an aircraft, a detachable cabin, interconcabin, a parachute releasably attached to said cabin, suitable reenforcing means on said cabin at place where said parachute is attached to said and operable from either inside 0r outside of said cabin, releasable bails on said cabin, said bails having attachment to a parachute, means for releasing said bails and said parachute from said cabin.

HERBERT L. ADAMS. 

